A variety of options for air preparation systems, valves and cylinders are available in modern pneumatic systems today. Instead of rigid tubes, most of the models use flexible pneumatic pipe or tube, with numerous types of both. Festo Push in Fittings also provide multiple options to serve a wide range of applications in pneumatic systems.
Pneumatic Tubing an Hose
In close seconds, in modern automated systems, the flexible tube is the more common way of linking pneumatic valves to tubing, actuator and vacuum generators.
Be mindful of the flexible and hardy tubes that are both different material types with any form of tube that is not confusing external diameter (OD) with internal diameter (ID).
The most popular pneumatics tube tubing in the 1/4 “to 1⁄2” tube OD range and pneumatics control circuits in the 1/8 “to 3/8” tube OD range is used in pneumatic systems under 1 “OD. There are metric and English pneumatic tubes that should not, of course, be mixed on the same machine.
The external diameter guides the cycle of selection and design, matching the tubing with the push lock or other suitable for automated machine and machine shop applications.
If more air flow is required, it is the right choice to have a larger diameter, but keep in mind that the internal tube diameter is influenced by the tube wall.
Pipe is rarely made when a nylon material is inserted into the internal and external tubing layers and a rigid swinging fit is applied. It is solid, versatile, kink resistive–and therefore easy to attach shop air into blow guns or other pneo tools–whether it’s rubber or lightweight polyurethane or other materials.
Shoes with national pipe thread (NPT) or fast disconnecting fittings (QD) are commonly available in 1/4, “3/8 and 1⁄2” diameters. To ensure proper application flow, inspect diameters carefully as the hoses are often supplied by the inside diameter.
The polyurethane tubing is sturdy and resistant to other types of materials. It is the most common tube material and has a working pressure of 150 psi or higher.
The OD tolerance is also high, and a large number of push-to-connect connections are available. A variety of colors and diameters of tubes are available to help in the identification of pneumatic circuits and the possibility of external UV stabilisation.
The most flexible of the above materials are polyurethane and PVC tubing. Polyurethane tubing with excellent memory is extremely durable, making it a perfect alternative for applications of coiled, compact and pneumatic tubes.
It is a good choice when high durability and low cost are needed and PVC is not as tough as polyurethane but can be built for food applications.
The polyethylene and nylon tubing use tougher materials and are thus less versatile, making the air and piping applications a good choice.
The higher working pressure capability up to 800 psi with a temperature range up to 200 ° F and excellent chemical resistance are essential features of the nylon tubing.
PTFE pipes have several impressive properties, including high thermal resistance, good chemical resistance and good diaphragm properties. PTFE tubing is chemically inert and may be used in static electricity-sensitive applications with temperatures up to 500 ° F.
Getting Fitted
Tube and shaft fits are available in a wide variety of setups, including barber fits, compressor fixtures, push-to-connect fitting of plastics / brasses, all push-to-connecting fits for stainless steel, metal thread fitting and air connections mainly used with shafts. Festo Pneumatic Fittings are available in different configurations.
Barb attachments are a convenient way of connecting flexible tubing or shafts. The tube is placed simply over a beard slightly wider than the internal tube diameter.
The tubing is often tightened by adding a tubing clamp. While it is easy to use, barb attachments are more vulnerable to leakage or tubing.
A small piece called a ferrule slides over the external diameter of the tube and then squeezes between the nut and the other half of the suit. The removal of the tube may be difficult during the development of a very secure connection, and often the tube is deformed so that a new tube has to be used to reconnect the connection.